Purple Finch

Chunky, seed-cracking, musical. Short distance migrant summers in southern Canada; winters in East and on West coast; year round in New England, Great Lakes, and parts of West Coast. Prefers coniferous or mixed forests in summer, as well as edge and open habitats in winter; attracted to feeders. Small, stout with strong conical bill, short notched tail; overall brown with cheek patch; male upper parts rosy violet, breast largely unstreaked; female coarsely streaked below. Often sings from high perch. Largely seed eating, as well as fruit and some insects. Nests on outer limbs of trees. Lifespan up to 14 years. Population ~ 3 million; declining in East due to House Finch competition.